Experimental Study of Composite Space Trusses with Continuous Chords

Abstract

The last decade saw the emergence of a new type of space truss built with continuous chord members. Earlier studies on these trusses confirmed that besides the cost savings resulting from their simple jointing methods, their behaviour is sound and ductile. The present study investigates the possibility of using either a concrete slab or top timber boards acting compositely with the top chord, to improve the behaviour of these trusses. New techniques are developed to allow the easy and inexpensive attachment of both types of top continuum. With these techniques, a high level of shear interaction can be developed, leading to significant improvements in behaviour. The paper also introduces an analytical study based on the finite element method for the analysis of space trusses with continuous chords, both in the composite and non-composite states.